PCLA Blog

Empowering the SoCal Parkinson’s Community with Helpful Guides, Articles, and Educational Resources.

Hand Exercises to Alleviate Parkinson’s Symptoms

Hand Exercises to Alleviate Parkinson’s Symptoms

A common symptom of Parkinson’s disease is loss of dexterity, or controlled movement, in the hands. The severity of symptoms ranges from person to person, but even the most impacted individual may benefit from a variety of targeted hand exercises. Why Does PD Impact...

What’s Palliative Care for Parkinson’s? [And Why It Matters]

What’s Palliative Care for Parkinson’s? [And Why It Matters]

Palliative care, also known as supportive care, is a comprehensive approach to care that aims to improve quality of life for those with serious illnesses, including Parkinson’s disease.  Contrary to what many think, palliative care is not specific to hospice or...

How to Advocate During Parkinson’s Awareness Month

How to Advocate During Parkinson’s Awareness Month

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month! This month we are shining a spotlight on all things advocacy, both on a policy and a personal level. What It Means to Advocate for Parkinson’s Policies Simply put, our representatives may not know the importance of Parkinson’s...

A letter from Sarah King

A letter from Sarah King

To my friends in the Los Angeles Parkinson's community, It has been a pleasure to work with you over the last five years in my role with PCLA. I joined PCLA to form a deeper connection with families living with PD in our area, and to help you with the resources,...

Should Cannabis Be Used to Treat Parkinson’s Disease?

Should Cannabis Be Used to Treat Parkinson’s Disease?

With medical marijuana now legal in 39 states, experts in the Parkinson’s community are expanding their research on how marijuana, also known as cannabis, can help treat PD symptoms. The impact of cannabis on Parkinson’s is so far inconclusive, but a number of...

Understanding Parkinson’s and Sleep Apnea

Understanding Parkinson’s and Sleep Apnea

It’s very common for people with Parkinson's disease to experience sleep problems, including sleep apnea. In fact, 40% of people with PD report experiencing obstructive sleep apnea. While the link between Parkinson's disease and sleep apnea is still being explored,...

How Parkinson’s Affects the Hispanic Community

How Parkinson’s Affects the Hispanic Community

Parkinson’s reach extends well beyond cultures and borders. In the United States, an estimated 90,000 people are diagnosed with PD each year, with 12 million people projected to be diagnosed globally by 2030. Despite its widespread nature, the majority of genetic...

6 Ways to Share Your Love with the Parkinson’s Community

6 Ways to Share Your Love with the Parkinson’s Community

We recognize that PD affects not just those diagnosed but also their children, spouses, friends, and care partners. The good news is that no one is ever alone in their diagnosis — PCLA offers support for the whole village. When facing a long-term disease, you may...

The Stages of Parkinson’s Disease: Explained [2023]

The Stages of Parkinson’s Disease: Explained [2023]

There is no “one size fits all” approach to PD’s progression, so Parkinson’s disease stages may not truly exist (as they do in Cancer). As such, there is not one linear path in disease development, and it’s difficult to generalize the disease’s progression. Having...

PCLA 2022 Year in Review (How We Impacted the PD Community)

PCLA 2022 Year in Review (How We Impacted the PD Community)

2022 has been a year of new ideas, initiatives, and amazing accomplishments! Despite the challenges of operating during the pandemic earlier in the year, PCLA and the Parkinson’s community have found ways to connect, support, and inspire. Let’s revisit the highlights...

PCLA News & Resources

At-home fitness options for people with Parkinson’s

At-home fitness options for people with Parkinson’s

Looking for resources for exercising at home? There are a lot of great options out there, from pre-recorded videos you can watch on your own schedule, to live virtual group classes. Online exercise videos & YouTube channels PCLA’s Fun Fitness class on YouTube...

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Ralphs Community Rewards program now donates to PCLA

Ralphs Community Rewards program now donates to PCLA

PCLA is now enrolled in the Ralphs Community Rewards program, which means we earn donations when you shop for groceries!   HOW IT WORKS: If you have a Ralphs reward card, you can enroll in the Community Rewards Program with PCLA as your charity of choice. The...

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Resources for Parkinson’s research news

Resources for Parkinson’s research news

What to stay up-to-date on the latest in Parkinson's research news? Check out the following resources, and don't forget to join us on Thursday, July 28, for an update on the latest in research from Dr. Jeff Bronstein and his research team at UCLA. Watch Dr....

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A Tribute to Dad

A Tribute to Dad

Join PCLA in celebrating the amazing fathers in our community! Honor a dad you love -- and help family's living with Parkinson's disease -- by making a donation to PCLA in his name. Add a special message with your donation, if you like, and we will post it here. If...

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A Tribute to Moms

A Tribute to Moms

Join PCLA in celebrating the amazing mothers in our community! Honor a mom you love by making a donation to PCLA in her name.Add a special message with your donation, if you like, and we will post it here. If you'd like to include a photo, please email it to us...

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Calling all poets!

Calling all poets!

PCLA is looking for submissions for our forthcoming Living Artistically: The Poetry of Parkinson’s book, to be published this April in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month and National Poetry Month. We welcome submissions from anyone in the Parkinson’s community -...

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Cannabis and Parkinson’s Disease

Cannabis and Parkinson’s Disease

Get the latest information regarding cannabis and parkinson's disease, presented at PCLA's annual "Life Beyond the Basics" conference.DOWNLOAD THE DECK Tap the button below to download a PDF copy of the presentationEVENT SPONSORS Thanks to our sponsors

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Meet Our Los Angeles Community: Barbara and Stephen Rubin

Meet Our Los Angeles Community: Barbara and Stephen Rubin

Barbara is a founding member of PCLA’s Board of Directors and Steve is on the advisory board. Barbara has been living with Parkinson’s since 2002. Among career mileposts, she is a past president of the Florida State Museum, the founder and president of a successful wholesale bakery, and, as an early consumer advocate in Virginia, developed toy safety regulations that became a national standard. She also raised two sons who have made their mark in the Los Angeles entertainment industry.

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Meet Our Los Angeles Community: Dancing Through Parkinson’s

Meet Our Los Angeles Community: Dancing Through Parkinson’s

Last month, attendees at our Life Beyond the Basics conference were treated to a “Parkinson’s Shake Out!” exercise break by our friends at Invertigo Dance Theatre. Since 2011, Invertigo has offered the “Dancing Through Parkinson’s” (DTP) dance program to our community

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Meet Our Los Angeles Community: An Update from the Parkinson’s Advocacy Forum

Meet Our Los Angeles Community: An Update from the Parkinson’s Advocacy Forum

Last month PCLA President Patrick LoSasso and Board Member Mark Siegel traveled to Washington, DC, for the 2019 Parkinson’s Advocacy Forum. They and 150 other advocates from across the country in educated Congressional members on policy issues impacting the PD community. We talked with Patrick about the Forum and some current legislative priorities.

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Meet Our Los Angeles Community: David Solie

Meet Our Los Angeles Community: David Solie

David Solie is a graduate of the University of Washington, University of Manitoba, and the University of Colorado Medical School, and practiced as a licensed physician assistant for several decades. He is the author of books on eldercare and inter-generational communication, and writes about aging, caregiving, healthcare, art and poetry, and many other topics on his blog. You can see more of David’s artwork on his website, End of the World Art.

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Meet Our Los Angeles Community: Sandy & Judy Yaras

Meet Our Los Angeles Community: Sandy & Judy Yaras

Sandy Yaras is the leader of PCLA’s “Let Talk About Parkinson’s” support group and our “PCLA Online” virtual support group. He was diagnosed in 2004 at the age of 63. Sandy taught middle school students for over 20 years and is also an artist, writer, and stand-up comic.

Judy Yaras is Vice-President of PCLA and Director of Museum Shop Operations at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Her professional background spans the healthcare and retail industries, teaching, and includes boardroom experience for a number of nonprofits.

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A Caregiver Lesson Learned

A Caregiver Lesson Learned

The risks of being a caregiver is that we are HUMAN BEINGS and sometimes we get sick. Almost every caregiver I know puts their loved one’s health above their own. I care for my husband who has had Parkinson’s for 19 years, he was diagnosed when he was 36. He’s had deep brain stimulation surgery, two seizures, a number of falls that have sent us to the ER and his colon burst and he became septic and gravely ill. All this and we are only 55.

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Meet Our Los Angeles Community: Mike Weinman Q&A

Meet Our Los Angeles Community: Mike Weinman Q&A

In 2000, at the age of 36, Mike Weinman was diagnosed with PD. An experienced finance and operations executive, Mike has served as Treasurer of PCLA since its founding. He also runs a support group for those living with Young Onset Parkinson’s disease. We spoke to Mike about his experience as a support group leader, his role in the formation of PCLA, and how Parkinson’s has impacted his family.

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Latest Research

Cannabis and Parkinson’s Disease

Cannabis and Parkinson’s Disease

Get the latest information regarding cannabis and parkinson's disease, presented at PCLA's annual "Life Beyond the Basics" conference.DOWNLOAD THE DECK Tap the button below to download a PDF copy of the presentationEVENT SPONSORS Thanks to our sponsors

Let’s Talk Parkinson’s: Q&A Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s

Let’s Talk Parkinson’s: Q&A Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s

Questions about speech therapy for Parkinson's? PCLA recently hosted an online presentation and Q&A with Julia Nicholls, MA, CCC-SLP. DOWNLOAD THE DECK Tap the button below to download a PDF copy of the presentationWATCH THE PRESENTATION Miss the event? Watch the...

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